Deanna
There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.
henjon7
I am not a documentary person. If you've never watched a documentary, this is a good one to start with. Everyone will find something in it they can relate to given the range of people and views. It avoids being overly preachy, sappy or angry while engaging in conversations touching on the economy, religion, politics, and solutions for the future from everyday people. It is must-see for anyone who is discouraged by the dumbing down and polarization of Americans through sound-bites and political generalizations. You will laugh and smile and think. You might even find some people who think like you do. Having spent numerous childhood vacations packed in a station wagon with up to six siblings, a car top carrier full of camping gear for 4,000+ mile trips to visit family (our version of an American Journey) I can honestly say I would drive across the country to buy these gentlemen a cup of coffee and talk about the world. And I will definitely watch this again.
rmargaux
I am not a film critic, but like most people, I do have an opinion, I can reflect and have a reaction to something. I therefore will not judge any technique, dialogue or wardrobe choices, but I will share how it made me feel, what it made me think and what I took away from it.This American Journey is a series of unplanned, random interviews post 2008 elections from everyday Americans and their thoughts on the country, politics, the economy, energy policies, religion and how these matters currently effect their lives. The only thing planned was the route - over three thousand miles by car beginning in New York City to Southern California through the deep South, the Mid and Southwest.Some amazing stories were shared by an eclectic range of people including: a 'practically' homeless musician, a gas station attendant, a Wall Street insider, a Marine, a cowboy Preacher, a wise women of Taos, Judges, store owners, store clerks, nurses, and a gun buyer.Over all, I was definitely left with a feeling of hope and a belief that the typical folk of the U.S. do have it. I was also often reminded that appearances are misleading as nearly all of the participants clearly expressed their disappointments with the state of the Country, could acknowledge that we are losing our way but that they understood change requires all of US to make it happen.Interjections and reactions from the filmmakers frame and complement the experience for viewers, giving me a sense of their involvement - they really did want to know, it wasn't just a project for them. It's a quest of sorts to rediscover the America as Blackthorne & Basqaili knew it long ago. The results? In spite of the cold weather, eating on the road, the wonderful motel accommodations and the fact that these two were perfect strangers just a couple weeks before they ventured out across the country, they collected over eighty interviews, gleaned some life lessons, a puppy they named Bodhi and then put together a film you SHOULD SEE.And their adventure did make me think, what answers would I have given if these two strange men and their camera approached me?
